... as, with wearying predictability, J K Rowling’s free speech letter is condemned by 150 academics

MORE than 150 academics have denounced an open letter signed by J. K. Rowling condemning the stifling of freedom of speech.

The Harry Potter author last week joined Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood and dozens of other writers, artists and academics to sign the letter, published by America’s Harper’s Magazine and titled ‘ A Letter on Justice and Open Debate’ to warn of a growing tide of illiberalism. But in a furious response, titled ‘A More Specific Letter on Justice and Open Debate’, critics accused Rowling and her cosignatories of championing ‘ the free market of ideas’ but ensuring that it is ‘free only for them’.

The response, published on US website The Objective, added: ‘The signatories, many of them white, wealthy and endowed with massive platforms, argue that they are afraid of being silenced, that so-called cancel culture is out of control, and that they fear for their jobs and free exchange of ideas, even as they speak from one of the most prestigious magazines in the country.

‘ While the Harper’s letter is couched in the events of the last few weeks, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is actively informed by the actions of its writers, many of whom have championed the free market of ideas, but actively ensured that it is free only for them.’

The row was sparked by Rowling’s views on transgender issues. She was attacked by internet trolls after saying she supported trans rights but did not believe in ‘erasing’ the concept of biological sex.

Her comments prompted Daniel

Radcliffe, Emma Watson and other stars of the Harry Potter film franchise to disagree with her publicly.

The letter that Rowling signed cri t i ci s ed t he s uppression of public debate and condemned ‘intolerance of opposing views, a vogue for public shaming and ostracism, and the tendency to dissolve complex policy issues in a blinding moral certainty’.